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Original poster

Which house would you buy?

30 replies

Laineymc7 · 13/04/2018 09:41

House 1
Always in catchment for the two best local schools. Our children would definitely get in.
It’s considerably cheaper than house 2 and it’s lovely inside. Monthly outgoing would be less.
In good condition and doesn’t need much work. Happy with the house.
Downsides - Road is a cut through road and can be busy at peak times but it’s not a main road. The house next door is a wreck and the garden is a dumping ground. It’s also has a conservatory extension which they started and didn’t finish. It’s a single older person that lives there and is supposedly really nice and no issues with them. Sellers have been there a very long time so no issues. It’s walking distance to the school. But not near a station so we’d need to buy another car so we can both get to work.
North facing garden.
Re sale as the neighbours property may put people off. Hopefully like us People would buy because of the schools.
We would sell up after about 5 years so wouldn’t be a forever home. We’d then have moving costs and stamp duty again. But I guess we’d be certain of a good education for the kids. We could but our forever home after that.

House 2
Beautiful leafy quiet road near green area. Nicer area.
Same size of house as house 1. Stunning south facing established garden, very tranquil. Nice calm area doesn’t Feel like London. Would be a forever home. 5 min walk to station.
Downsides
More expensive so higher outgoings. it was in the catchment for the schools last year but not the year before. There is a chance we could not get in to the two best ones. (This is my main worry). Also not walking distance to the school we’d have to drive, it’s a short drive.
Inside of the house isn’t as nice as house 1 and needs more work. Its immaculate though and very well looked after. The work is only cosmetic. No building/structural work. This could be done over time so wouldn’t have to be done straight away.

I’m so undecided and keep going between both options.

If anyone asks apologies in advance but I’m not posting the houses.

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 13/04/2018 10:22

What are the schools like for property 2 if you don't get your favourites. That would be the deciding factor for me. If they are OK then property 2, if not then keep looking (or buy property 1 if you are in a rush to buy).

Easilyflattered · 13/04/2018 10:30

Most people who buy family sized houses need schools, so I would probably buy house 1. The neighbours garden is a bummer though

I've just done something similar, could have bought a nicer house if I'd overlooked the school ratings.

Of course school ratings can change at anytime but I've noticed about a 5 year lag between a schools performance change and a change in reputation.

QuiteLikely5 · 13/04/2018 10:32

Neither of these sound right for you!

At a push I’d say property 1

Original poster
Laineymc7 · 13/04/2018 11:08

Thank you all. I guess the good school is the most deciding factor. We are currently renting in an area where there are no good schools near us. We need to move by sept ish so we are in the house for the school applications. So we don’t have too long. So ideally need to find somewhere very soon. There are very few rental properties that come up near the good schools so not likely to get one so therefore we will have to buy.

OP posts:
pinkdelight · 13/04/2018 12:04

Is House 2 not a forever home either? So whichever you get, you'd be moving in five years? To be honest, I'd look elsewhere. If it's London, there are plenty of options for schools, and you could get somewhere that covers both primary and secondary so not have to move again. Or at the other extreme, you could rent somewhere else and get the kids in a good school and then start looking to buy the forever home. Either way, it doesn't sound like either of these are that good. The neighbour in the first one would really worry me, of course they'll say he's no problem. You will too when you come to sell it (possibly sooner than five years if he is a problem).

Angryosaurus · 13/04/2018 13:03

we have gone for our 'option 2' whilst taking a gamble with getting DC into grammar schools as not keen on local secondary. Could at a push go for private secondaries if this doesn't work, otherwise we wouldn't have risked it. Would you have other school options/be able to move again if you don't get the school you want?

sausagedogsmakechipolatas · 13/04/2018 13:14

I’d go for the forever home - schools can change and if you’re in London the kids have the option of getting the bus instead of you driving them. Plus you’d only have one lot of stamp duty, fees and the stress of moving.

Original poster
Laineymc7 · 13/04/2018 13:40

Thanks everyone. The other school options are good but not outstanding. There are no terrible schools so we should be ok.

OP posts:
MrsBlondie · 13/04/2018 13:58

House 1 - having to drive to do the school run would be big no for me. I love being able to walk this and my older child walks to secondary school.

wowfudge · 13/04/2018 14:19

Whilst interest rates are low I'd go for the forever home. School ratings can change as can catchment areas.

Joinourclub · 13/04/2018 14:23

If you are only judging the schools by their ofstead ratings, then I would take a closer look.

greendale17 · 13/04/2018 14:29

House 2

TheBlueDot · 13/04/2018 14:47

House 1 - being able to walk to a very good school would be a massive upside for me.

Spickle · 13/04/2018 14:58

House 2 - you mention it could be a forever home. Children grow up and leave school and once they have left, do you really want to live on a cut-through road that other school parents use at peak time? Plus schools are only as good as the team leading it. Ofsted league tables are not all they are cracked up to be. 5 minutes to the station would be more appealing - you will be working over a longer period of time than your children need the school.

patstar · 13/04/2018 15:29

House 2 - South facing garden!!!!!!!
Totally agree with what Spickle says - schools change and as long as you have 'good' schools the children will be fine

SimonBridges · 13/04/2018 15:32

We have neighbours who use their garden as a dumping ground. They literally open the windows and lob stuff out.

To be honest I’d sooner that than people sitting in their garden making a row all the time.

Original poster
Laineymc7 · 13/04/2018 16:48

There are definitely ‘good’ schools nearby and I’ve always wanted a south facing garden. I’ve never had neighbours who lobbed stuff out the windows 😂.

OP posts:
SimonBridges · 13/04/2018 16:55

It really isn’t a problem and it makes it a haven for wildlife as it gets overgrown with nettles etc. Never had rats.

FluffyWuffy100 · 13/04/2018 17:25

House 2 - lovely s facing garden and the schools are fine anyway

Applejack70455 · 13/04/2018 19:02

Forever home. Stamp duty is crippling if you have to move again. We moved to me close to a good school by the head's left and not so sure anymore - nothing's guaranteed.

FalafelsAreDelish · 13/04/2018 19:11

It is such a bonus to have a south facing garden in the miserable climate! DC1 is at what was a "satisfactory" school when he started (now good) and DC2 is at an "outstanding" school. Honestly I'm happy with both. Some of the elements that ofsted downgrade on are outside of a schools control to a large extent, like attendance.

Personally I'd go with house 2.

FrogFairy · 13/04/2018 20:27

House 2 that is five minutes from the station. You will be working for many more years than your children will be at school.

Notonthestairs · 13/04/2018 20:37

Have you looked round the schools? The outstanding and the good? If you are going to base it on schools you need to look round all the local ones - you might find the good schools are a better fit then the outstanding ones.

Forgottenmypassword · 13/04/2018 21:55

Someone told me to look for good schools rather than outstanding as those ones tend to be focused on their outstanding status rather than the kids.

Not sure write how true that is as our little primary is an outstanding school and I love it!

I'd definitely want to visit them and go with the feel of a school even if it were good vs outstanding. Property 2 for me, especially if it means not moving again in only 5 years time.

Forgottenmypassword · 13/04/2018 21:57

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